The State government decided to expedite the process of weaving the one crore Bathukamma sarees meant for distribution to the below-poverty-line women beneficiaries during the ensuing Bathukamma festival.
In order to provide regular employment to the powerloom weavers of Sircilla, the State government had taken a decision to produce one crore Bathukamma sarees worth ₹ 200 crore on the powerlooms. Accordingly, orders were placed for weaving sarees after showing the designs to the powerloom weavers in May.
Against the requirement of using 20,000 powerlooms to weave sarees, the weavers were using only 4,383 powerlooms including 1,890 looms belonging to mutually aided cooperative societies and 2,493 looms belonging to the small scale industries. Still, the looms from the Textile Park and individual weavers are not being contacted to weave the sarees.
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At a meeting with the district officials and powerloom weavers in Sircilla on Wednesday night, Handlooms and Textile Commissioner Shailaja Ramayyar instructed the authorities concerned to take all measures to ensure that a total of 20,000 powerlooms produce Bathukamma sarees from July 5 onwards at any cost. “If the production of sarees was taken up in 20,000 looms, then only the weavers can achieve the target and supply the required sarees to the government in August,” she said.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of production of sarees, the Textiles Commissioner threatened to place orders for producing the sarees to other States. She said that the government had given the powerloom weavers of Sircilla town a big opportunity with a huge work order. It is time for the weavers to prove their sincerity and uphold the image of the State government by producing quality Bathukamma sarees in time for the distribution of the same to before the Bathukamma festival in August, she added.